Slumping Weeks dropped to sixth in lineup

Brewers manager Ron Roenicke introduced a bold new batting order on Friday, dropping slumping second baseman Rickie Weeks down to sixth in the lineup for the team’s Interleague opener against the Twins at Miller Park.

Weeks and Roenicke had discussed the players ongoing slump, and Roenicke had honored Weeks’ request to bat near the top of the lineup. On Friday, it was time for a change. Corey Hart moved up to the leadoff hole and center fielder Norichika Aoki batted second, the spot previously held by Weeks. Ryan Braun and Aramis Ramirez were in their usual spots — third and fourth — followed by red-hot catcher Jonathan Lucroy.

Then came Weeks, who has two hits in his last 32 at-bats and has seen his average drop to .156. Entering Friday’s games, Weeks led National League hitters with 49 strikeouts.

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